Winter is no joke in Syracuse, so it’s important to tackle your lawn care and landscaping tasks during the months when the weather is hospitable. Follow this seasonal landscaping plan to achieve the yard you want.

Spring

• Lawn Care: Begin mowing in late March or April when the grass starts growing again.
• Mulch: Add a fresh layer of mulch to your landscaping beds.
• Planting: Late May is generally the last frost date, so plant your trees, shrubs, and perennials then.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune after late May, when the last frost has passed.
• Irrigation: Avoid late-season frost, and wait until late May to activate your sprinklers and drip lines.
• Hardscaping: Start putting in patios and walkways once the ground has fully thawed, generally after Mother’s Day.
• Landscape Lighting: Wait until the last frost is gone and the ground is soft before installing new lighting. That way, you can easily bury wires and secure the fixtures.
• Fencing: Repair or replace fencing damaged over the winter, and apply fresh paint or stain if necessary.

Summer

• Lawn Care: Keep mowing, and make sure your grass gets enough water.
• Irrigation: Don't let your garden hose run your life. Get an irrigation plan designed and installed with zones for your lawn, garden beds, and trees.
• Landscape Lighting: This is a great time to install new systems or conduct routine maintenance on your fixtures, bulbs, lenses, and wiring.
• Fencing: Install your new fence or make repairs, paint or stain your existing fence.

Fall

• Lawn Care: The mowing season wraps up at the end of October or early November.
• Leaf Cleanup: Blow, rake, bag your leaves, or hire a local leaf removal crew.
• Mulch: Mulch helps insulate the plant's roots for winter.
• Planting: September is a good time to plant trees. Also, cut back perennials, and plant bulbs now so they bloom in the spring.
• Irrigation: Blow out and winterize your system before temps dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Hardscaping: Wrap up hardscaping projects before the first frost.
• Landscape Lighting: Add until late September or before the ground freezes.

Winter

• Shrub Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.

If you need a landscape designer or assistance with routine lawn care and landscaping tasks like weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, or hardscaping, LawnStarter’s Syracuse landscaping pros are just a few clicks away.